The rubbish tip photos.

Part 1: Radio Essex / BBMS photos, possibly taken by Guy Hamilton.

In the mid-seventies an offshore radio enthusiast called Keith Webster found a treasure trove of pirate memorabilia at a Benfleet rubbish tip. Probably from a house clearance, there were old magazines, promotional
items, photos and photographic negatives. Some of the photos are identical to the ones of Radio Essex that Guy Hamilton has donated to The Pirate Radio Hall of
Fame (see here and following page), but some are previously unpublished.

Some years later, in 2018, Keith decided it was time for a clear-out. He posted on the Radio Caroline Facebook page, asking if anyone wanted his collection. Brian Nichols of the Felixstowe & Offshore Radio Facebook page said “yes please”.

So Keith passed his finds on to Brian and he, in turn, got in touch with us. We alerted Guy Hamilton to ask about the photos. He and his former colleague Mike Brereton studied them and tried to
identify everyone. There is some uncertainty - for instance, Guy did not work with Van Stirling for very long and isn't totally sure that the man in the yellow pullover is him. Can anyone confirm it?

Guy may have taken these Radio Essex photos but is not 100% sure. If he didn't, we don't know who did. The pictures below are the ones which have not been previously published on this site. We are extremely grateful to Keith, Brian,
Guy and Mike.

A winch. Guy says he doesn't remember it ever working. Writing on Facebook, Michael Bates said: It's the old lift shaft ammunition hoist to feed the 3.7" Vickers Armstrong anti-aircraft
guns from the magazine, one floor from the bottom of the tower. They did get it working, then we took it to Sealand and used it to unload stores.”

The fort's handyman Dave Belasco. Guy tells us he also presented shows as “Dave Baron”.

Tony Mandell. This mixer did not work. The guys are simply posing with it for the photos.

Mark West.

The back of someone's head - Richard Palmer, possibly, or Mark West or Mike Brereton - with Dave Belasco.